Heavier grinds for the noob
Hi Thumper!
The very next shave w/ the wacker was a re-run of the first - incredible and EASY. This, with a spanish point.
I'm starting to think the heavier blade - whether or not the grind is heavy, is a big part of it. 'Feels good, steady. I'm not spending any mental energy over feeling blade angle get out of sorts. I started shaving ATG the first few shaves, and it didn't seem that hard w/ a 5/8 full hollow. With the heavy blade, it just seems quite normal.
Due mostly to impatience, I overpaid for a Dovo Stainless micarta ($225 5/8 full hol), which was very much NOT shave ready. That's the same price as the wacker. Since then, I've read, experimented, bled (repeat ad naseum). If I could start over, I'd probably buy something at least 6/8, likely something less than full hollow, and I must agree w/ the forums that buying new production or functional vintage from a respected forum member would be how I'd do it. I'd mention specific guys, but that would be a disservice to others who deserve equal credit. A big benefit is getting it already honed, which is another skill with a substantial learning curve. Trying to learn honing and str8 shaving together, detracts from learning to shave well.
One comment about the heavier grinds for the noob - someone said they are harder to maintain. My particular wacker has a very mild, designed-in smile (longitudinal curvature). This has taken some mild learning to strop, but hasn't been that hard. If the blade were completely straight, I don't think it would be any harder than a full hollow - probably easier, again because of the weight/stability riding the strop.
I hope you make fewer mistakes than I. Before the heavier wacker, a shave WAS an event, but nervous/tense, trying to get it right and keep enough blood to function :). (that's exaggeration) Although it quickly became bloodless, using the wacker (or I suspect any similar quality/grind/size) changed the game in a single shave. It's now relaxed, and a pleasure. I shave ATG at will, and without tension or drama.
The current dilema (sp) is whether or not to pull the trigger on a Williams custom, and whether to stick w/ 6/8, try 7/8, and how heavy a grind. If the wacker is that good, could the Williams be better? Here, I'm not thinking appearance or embellishment, but the shave. The most disturbing thing I've read to date was experienced guys counseling a noob to try a more humble blade, and if they thought they'd stay with it - get the Williams immediately. (the sound you hear is my wallet running through the door, screaming)